uhhhh, they arent in the same league. Stern oversaw the growth of the NBA and Bettman absolutely sank the NHL

Bird and Magic were already building the NBA before Stern took over in 1984.

Bird, Magic and Jordan were responsible for the growth of the Association in the 1980s and 1990s. Stern just so happened to be sitting in the Commissioners chair. Some one had to be sitting in the seat.